Top 10 Toilet Learning Tips
“Learning to use the toilet is a natural process that begins when your child’s desire to be grown up and his neurological development have reached the point where he can control his bladder and bowels. We don’t train children to use the toilet, we support them when they are ready.” – Tim Seldin, How to […]
Montessori on a Budget: Home Alternatives
Social media may have given you this idea that Montessori is a picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy play space with brand new materials beautifully arranged, glistening shelves. The reality is that Montessori is so much more than the carefully developed materials and the beautiful shelves; it’s a philosophy and a way of life that guides how we interact […]
Self-Care for Moms: 16 Ways to Rest, Renew, and Recharge
Being a mom is tough work! Someone needs a diaper change, someone needs a bath, someone needs to be fed, someone needs to be taken to school, someone needs help with homework. We can get so caught up in daily life that we seldom take time to stop and think about our own needs. When […]
Showing Love the Montessori Way
Through careful observation and study, Maria Montessori discovered that love is one of the most powerful influences on a child’s development. She talked a lot about love and Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to think about all the ways we show love to our children. The way we create spaces and foster relationships with […]
How to introduce a new baby to siblings
Welcoming a younger brother or sister into the world is a huge occasion for a little one. They are likely to experience a range of big emotions including excitement, fear, anxiety, love, worry, and jealousy. Who wouldn’t feel a bit uneasy not knowing their future position in the family hierarchy when they have been the […]
Santa Claus and Montessori
Perhaps the most common question Montessori parents have during the holiday season is how to navigate the child’s belief in Santa. You might be wondering, Is my child allowed to believe in Santa if we follow Montessori? How do I keep the magic of the holiday season without the tradition of Santa? A Look into […]
Holiday Gifts: Asking and Receiving with Grace & Courtesy as a Montessori Family
The holidays are a special time for giving and receiving gifts. We show our love and appreciation for those closest to us through special offerings. But we’ve all been there, your child unwraps a present from grandma (or an aunt, uncle, or neighborhood friend) and it’s loud, bright, battery-operated, plastic and surely will give you […]
What Makes a Toy Montessori Aligned?
Do Montessori toys need to be wooden? Is a doll house aligned with Montessori? Can I introduce a sensory bin to my child if I practice Montessori? Perhaps these are all questions you’ve pondered somewhere along your Montessori journey. When deciding to implement the Montessori Method in the home, parents and caregivers often develop the […]
Peace Corners: Creating Calm the Montessori Way
“Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child.” — Maria Montessori Dr. Maria Montessori was a proponent of world peace. Peace education is woven throughout the Montessori curriculum. Peace corners, also known as calming corners or calm down corners, are centerpieces in Montessori […]
Using Non-Traditional Materials in a Montessori Aligned Way: Part 2
As Montessori grows in popularity, the number of toys and activities that are marketed as “Montessori” to boost sales has sky-rocketed. For parents and caregivers who are new to their Montessori journey, there is a lot to learn and this type of false advertising can make it even more difficult to implement the Method with […]
Using Non-Traditional Materials in a Montessori Aligned Way: Part 1
As Montessori has gained in popularity, toy makers have capitalized on the growing interest amongst parents and caregivers. By including the word “Montessori” in the name of their not-so-Montessori products and activities, toy manufacturers and retailers have been able to increase sales, appealing to parents hoping to provide their child with high quality materials that […]
Montessori Puzzle Progression
Puzzles are often a popular activity with very young children – and for good reason. Not only do they captivate the interests of toddlers and preschoolers, puzzles offer great benefits for cognitive and fine motor development and many are aligned with Montessori. What makes a puzzle Montessori aligned? Puzzles are considered aligned with Montessori if […]